Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders visits Denmark

Written on 25 May 2023.

The first Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention, Michel Forst, visited Denmark from 8-10 May as part of his European information tour explaining the new mandate. He met with various Danish government officials and civil society organisations, including IWGIA.

“There is an increasing trend currently in many countries, including EU States, to vilify the work of environmental defenders and to launch large campaigns of defamation, calling them eco-terrorists or against progress or anti-development. And it´s not only attacks against the people, but also attacks against the cause for which they are trying to fight. The space is shrinking.” Forst said during his interview with IWGIA.

Continue Reading

The International Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission demands the protection of civilians’ lives in Bandarban

Written on 23 May 2023.

The International Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission (CHTC) is deeply concerned about the ongoing unrest in Bandarban and demands that civilians are protected. According to media reports¹, on 8 May 2023, 3 Bawm men were allegedly killed at Paingkhong Para of Rwangchari Upazila by the same vigilante group that killed another 8 Bawm men last month on 6 April 2023². Local leaders informed the media that none of the deceased had any affiliation with any armed groups³, and one of them, Nemthang Bawm (43), was the president of Number Five Ward of the Awami League (the current ruling party of Bangladesh), Rwangchari⁴.

Continue Reading

IWGIA and AIPP condemn the violent response to peaceful protests of Indigenous Peoples in Nepal

Written on 24 May 2023.

The International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) and Asia Indigenous Peoples’ Pact (AIPP) are deeply concerned about the violent response to peaceful protests by the Indigenous Peoples Movement in Nepal causing at least 45 people injured and 1 life claimed in the clashes. Furthermore, 31 were arrested but have been released since. Some are facing criminal charges.

Continue Reading

Maasai delegation to meet European leaders in a bid to end the forced evictions and human rights abuses they are facing in Tanzania

Written on 22 May 2023.

22.05.2023, A high-profile delegation of Maasai representatives starts a tour in several European countries this May, seeking international support to halt the ongoing forced evictions and human rights abuses against the Maasai people in Tanzania.

Continue Reading